Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta , the first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War , is a new dad .

The Army soldier 's mother told CNN Monday that Giunta , who has left the active-duty Army and begun studies in college , is the father of a baby girl .

Giunta married his wife Jennifer in 2009 .

Giunta 's mother , Rosemary , said the baby and mother are doing fine .

The girl was born last week , but the new grandmother said Giunta is keeping details like the baby 's name and exact birth date private .

As the daughter of a Medal of Honor recipient , baby Giunta will get a few benefits herself .

She and the rest of her family will get special identification cards and commissary and exchange privileges . The latter affords them access to lower-cost shopping , as well as recreation facilities like pools and bowling allies .

And if she qualifies , baby Giunta will be eligible for admission to a United States military academy , without having first to be nominated or adhere to quota retirements .

Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor in November for his deeds in a battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan in October 2007 .

He continued fighting , and rescued a team leader , despite being hit twice by bullets -- one striking his armored vest and another that hit a weapon on his back . Neither caused serious injuries , and Giunta went back to work with his unit moments after the attack ended .

After having served two tours in Afghanistan over seven years , Giunta announced plans in February to leave the U.S. Army and move to Fort Collins , Colorado , with his wife , Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood of the Iowa National Guard said then .

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Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta earned the Medal of Honor in November 2010

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His wife Rosemary had a baby girl last week , Giunta 's mother says

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The baby has special privileges as the daughter of a Medal of Honor recipient